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</ul> | </ul> | ||
<h3>Protocol</h3> | <h3>Protocol</h3> | ||
− | <p>Pour PDMS into a beaker (80 g should be enough for most applications). Pour curing agent into the same beaker (9 :1 proportion : if you used 80 g PDMS, you need 8 g curing | + | <p>According to manufacturer's instruction. <br> Pour PDMS into a beaker (80 g should be enough for most applications). Pour curing agent into the same beaker (9 :1 proportion : if you used 80 g PDMS, you need 8 g curing |
agent) and mix with the spatula for 30 seconds. Spatula can be cleaned afterwards with some paper dipped in isopropanol. Put beaker in vacuum machine in order to extract the | agent) and mix with the spatula for 30 seconds. Spatula can be cleaned afterwards with some paper dipped in isopropanol. Put beaker in vacuum machine in order to extract the | ||
air bubbles from the mixture (at least 10 minutes vacuum, look out for overflowings). Pour mixture onto mold. Put mold+mixture in oven at 70 degrees Celsius for 3 hours at | air bubbles from the mixture (at least 10 minutes vacuum, look out for overflowings). Pour mixture onto mold. Put mold+mixture in oven at 70 degrees Celsius for 3 hours at |
Revision as of 14:23, 26 July 2018
What should this page contain?
- Protocols
- Experiments
- Documentation of the development of your project
Inspiration
Experiments
Describe the research, experiments, and protocols you used in your iGEM project. These should be detailed enough for another team to repeat your experiments.
Please remember to put all characterization and measurement data for your parts on the corresponding Registry part pages.
Microfluidics
PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane) is a widely used polymer in microfluidics, for its biocompatibility and transparence, among other qualities. Here we show how to prepare PDMS for microfluidic chips, as well as how to demold them, bond them to other surfaces and treat them for neuron growth.
PDMS Preparation
Materials
- PDMS and curing agent (Sigma-aldrich, Sylgard 184, 761036-5EA)
- Mold (we recommend a mold made of epoxyy resin for chips with microfluidic circuits, although aluminium is fine for simpler molds)
- Isopropanol (liquid)
- Scale
- Beaker
- Vacuum machine
- Spatula
- Oven
Protocol
According to manufacturer's instruction.
Pour PDMS into a beaker (80 g should be enough for most applications). Pour curing agent into the same beaker (9 :1 proportion : if you used 80 g PDMS, you need 8 g curing
agent) and mix with the spatula for 30 seconds. Spatula can be cleaned afterwards with some paper dipped in isopropanol. Put beaker in vacuum machine in order to extract the
air bubbles from the mixture (at least 10 minutes vacuum, look out for overflowings). Pour mixture onto mold. Put mold+mixture in oven at 70 degrees Celsius for 3 hours at
least. We do not recommend letting the mold with the mixture more than 2 days in the oven, otherwise there is a chance you'll break the chip when demolding it.